al77
Master Don Juan
Kangaroos discovered pot. Slowly they started developing gangs...
Sure a hammer is effective: if anyone hit a kangaroo with a hammer, it will sure instantly beat the record in speed jumping....
"The Coffee Shop Girl You Never Spoke To"
You've replayed it a hundred times. She stood three feet away, scrolling her phone. You had an opening. You composed the perfect line — after she was gone.
For all you know, she's married now. To some guy who said something. Anything.
Openers are cheap. Almost any sentence works when it's delivered within three seconds. The expensive part is the standing there, drafting and deleting, while the window quietly closes.
The "22 Rules" stripped out my hesitation. What to open with, how to keep it alive, and the one habit that costs guys more women than anything else: waiting for perfect.
Something Is Troubling PVSSY-EATER
- Thread starter PVSSY-EATER
- Start date
Sure a hammer is effective: if anyone hit a kangaroo with a hammer, it will sure instantly beat the record in speed jumping....
“The 22 Rules That Turned Me From Invisible to Irresistible With Women… Starting Tonight”
You can skip the expensive cars, the fancy clothes, and the endless gym selfies. Completely unnecessary.
I used to freeze the second a beautiful woman looked my way. Frustrated. Awkward. Watching other guys walk away with the girl while I stood there tongue-tied.
Then I discovered 22 simple rules that rewired my entire dating life. The anxiety vanished. Conversations flowed effortlessly. Women started chasing me for a change.
These rules trigger a woman's subconscious attraction switches. And you can start using them tonight.
MetalFortress
Master Don Juan
Hah, nobody can stop sinning. You got it. Living for Jesus is really the only thing that can provide true and permanent fulfillment in life. I think the state of mind you are referring to goes back to that - that no matter what happens, you have Jesus on your side and are assured of heaven because of Him, and compared to that, nothing is really that important.
Hell, I struggle with this a lot, and I'm not the best example of how a Christian should act - but if I let my screwups hold me back, then I'm giving satan a foothold.
MetalFortress
Master Don Juan
I believe I asked Puzzy-Eater, not lebRambo, for an answer. Kindly refrain from replying.
MetalFortress
Master Don Juan
post count + 2Originally posted by lebRambo
Being a public forum, and you not being the administrator or anyone with the ability or right to prevent me from doing so, I will continue to reply and post when I feel like it.
Remember, trolling is against the rules. And you, by posting what you did above, are being a troll.
"The Coffee Shop Girl You Never Spoke To"
You've replayed it a hundred times. She stood three feet away, scrolling her phone. You had an opening. You composed the perfect line — after she was gone.
For all you know, she's married now. To some guy who said something. Anything.
Openers are cheap. Almost any sentence works when it's delivered within three seconds. The expensive part is the standing there, drafting and deleting, while the window quietly closes.
The "22 Rules" stripped out my hesitation. What to open with, how to keep it alive, and the one habit that costs guys more women than anything else: waiting for perfect.
And with those handy little pouches, they probably make GREAT drug smugglers too!
Come to think of it, you guys have plenty of great smuggling potential in your wildlife...I mean, who would ever do a full cavity search on a koala bear?
No disrespect, but that's a crock of sh!t. In one sentence you are totally discounting the paths others have chosen to find the Truth.
As far as sinning goes, as long as you got love and respect for the life you were given and for all your brothers and sisters in the world, it's all good.
According to your so-called "Christianity", a good man who leads a good life and is a blessing to those around him goes straight to hell because he didn't chose the right system of beliefs? Huh? What kind of loving God are YOU worshipping?
The only thing that provides fulfillment in life is achieving your dreams and helping others on your way there. Jesus preached this and his words just got twisted into a (highly lucrative) cult.
Riddle me this, if Jesus was so perfect and never had a dirty thought his whole life, then why on earth does the Bible delete his whole story from puberty to age 30? Aren't these the most defining years of a man's life? Personally I think it would have made a great read to see how Christ handled his raging hormones.
But, no...you are right. He never had to deal with that because he was God. I guess if someone wrote it down a long time ago it MUST be true.
You Christians really crack me up.
MetalFortress
Master Don Juan
Um, so? I'm no believer in relativism. If you believe 100% wholeheartedly that the Honda Civic you are driving is a Ferrari, that doesn't change the fact that it's a Honda Civic. If you believe 100% wholeheartedly that I am a 400 lb midget, that doesn;t change the fact that I'm 6'1 and between 215 and 225. Same deal here.
According to whom?
You would have a point if any man could be perfect and not sinful at all. That's not the case. That's where Jesus comes in - as a free gift from God to cover sins.
Actually, Jesus Himself directly said that He is the only way to the Father, and that He was God, so either Jesus was a savior or a charlatan. There's no third option or twisting.
Why? Because it was not important to the story. If Jesus is God, then He's not reliant on being defined by "defining years".
Nice sarcasm, sweetie.Originally posted by Don Ronny
But, no...you are right. He never had to deal with that because he was God. I guess if someone wrote it down a long time ago it MUST be true.
The Bible does say that the message of Christ is foolishness who say in their heart "there is no God"... so there's another point at which the Bible is correct
This has nothing to do with the fact that your religion condemns all others. The difference is that you can see with your eyes what is what. We cannot see the hearts of men, so who are we to condemn them to hell? Isn't this God's job?
Or a tool of the Romans to consolidate their empire. There are lots of ways to look at things, you know.
Yes there is. Ever stop to consider that the Bible might be no be 100% true? How do you know he said this? Were you there? Did you hear it yourself? Ohhh that's right, all of your faith is based on ancient texts and hearsay. You know, Muslims do the same thing....so do Jews...it's pretty damn easy to tell people "This book is the word of God." and have millions follow...when it was actually written by men, who are famous for corruption, manipulation and greed.
For the record I am not hating on the Bible, Koran or any other holy books. They are actually filled with wisdom and I do believe that a lot of "God's word" can be found there. I also believe that mankind has a habit of using people's beliefs as a tool of control. History shows us this time and time again.
Typical dogmatic mentality...if it's not included, it must not be important. If you really admired Jesus like you say you do, then you would question the establishment and ask these kinds of questions. Heck, it's one of the things that got him crucified to begin with, pissing off the Jews and all. For someone raised in a church environment, you gotta admit, Jesus was pretty anti-religion.
Wow, you really are a Christian! I don't buy into your limiting beliefs so that must mean I am an atheist, huh? I sincerely hope someday God reveals itself to you in a more personal way and you don't have to rely on fundamentalism anymore.Originally posted by MetalFortress
The Bible does say that the message of Christ is foolishness who say in their heart "there is no God"... so there's another point at which the Bible is correct
By the way, in response to the original post, I think the reason you are not feeling spiritually well is because,from what I see in your posts, you are far too self-centered. There is no fulfillment in that. While its great to work on improving yourself, you cant neglect the people around you.
Make your life great and share that greatness with everyone who crosses your path. This is what has brought me fulfillment and peace.
Make your life great and share that greatness with everyone who crosses your path. This is what has brought me fulfillment and peace.
"You'll Never Feel READY to Walk Over"
Next Monday you'll feel more confident. After the gym you'll feel more confident. After one more drink you'll feel more confident. After you get a better haircut, a better jacket, a better job.
You've been "getting ready" for two years.
She's standing ten feet away right now. She'll be gone in four minutes. No amount of preparation will manufacture the courage that only comes from moving your feet.
Walk over. Stumble through the first sentence. Let it be clumsy. Let it be imperfect. You will feel more alive in those ten seconds than you have all month.
MetalFortress
Master Don Juan
x
Centaurion
Master Don Juan
The Nine Satanic Sins
1.
Stupidity
2.
Pretentiousness
3.
Solipsism : Projecting our reactions, responses, and sensibilities onto someone else who is probably far less attuned than you are. It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same consideration, courtesy, and respect you naturally give them. They will not!
4.
Self-Deceit : We must not pay homage to any of the sacred cows presented to us, including the roles we are expected to play ourselves. The only time self-deceit should be entered into is when it is fun, and with awareness. But then it is not self-deceit!
5.
Herd Conformity : It is all right to conform to a person's wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools follow along with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you.
6.
Lack of Perspective : You must never loose sight of what you are. We are making history right now, every day. Always keep the wider historical and social picture in mind. See the patterns fit things together as you want the pieces to fall.
7.
Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies : Be aware that this is one of the keys to brainwashing people into accepting something as "new" and "different," when in reality it's something that was once widely accepted but now is presented in a NW package.
8.
Counterproductive Pride : That first word is important. The rule is: if it works for you, great. When it stops working for you, you have painted yourself into a corner and the only way out is to say, "I'm sorry, I made a mistake, I wish I could compensate somehow," then do it!
9.
Lack of Aesthetics : It is not what is supposed to be pleasing, it is what is!
Sincerely,
your friendly neighborhood Satanist Centaurion
1.
Stupidity
2.
Pretentiousness
3.
Solipsism : Projecting our reactions, responses, and sensibilities onto someone else who is probably far less attuned than you are. It is the mistake of expecting people to give you the same consideration, courtesy, and respect you naturally give them. They will not!
4.
Self-Deceit : We must not pay homage to any of the sacred cows presented to us, including the roles we are expected to play ourselves. The only time self-deceit should be entered into is when it is fun, and with awareness. But then it is not self-deceit!
5.
Herd Conformity : It is all right to conform to a person's wishes, if it ultimately benefits you. But only fools follow along with the herd, letting an impersonal entity dictate to you.
6.
Lack of Perspective : You must never loose sight of what you are. We are making history right now, every day. Always keep the wider historical and social picture in mind. See the patterns fit things together as you want the pieces to fall.
7.
Forgetfulness of Past Orthodoxies : Be aware that this is one of the keys to brainwashing people into accepting something as "new" and "different," when in reality it's something that was once widely accepted but now is presented in a NW package.
8.
Counterproductive Pride : That first word is important. The rule is: if it works for you, great. When it stops working for you, you have painted yourself into a corner and the only way out is to say, "I'm sorry, I made a mistake, I wish I could compensate somehow," then do it!
9.
Lack of Aesthetics : It is not what is supposed to be pleasing, it is what is!
Sincerely,
your friendly neighborhood Satanist Centaurion
MetalFortress
Master Don Juan
---This has nothing to do with the fact that your religion condemns all others. The difference is that you can see with your eyes what is what. We cannot see the hearts of men, so who are we to condemn them to hell? Isn't this God's job?---
When did I say I was condemning anyone? Riddle me this: Why would Jesus have to die on the cross, assuming Jesus was God's son, if Jesus wasn't the ONE way to salvation? God would have to be pretty stupid to let His own son die if there were other ways.
---Or a tool of the Romans to consolidate their empire. There are lots of ways to look at things, you know.---
Very knee-jerk of you.
--- Yes there is. Ever stop to consider that the Bible might be no be 100% true? How do you know he said this? Were you there? Did you hear it yourself? Ohhh that's right, all of your faith is based on ancient texts and hearsay. You know, Muslims do the same thing....so do Jews...it's pretty damn easy to tell people "This book is the word of God." and have millions follow...when it was actually written by men, who are famous for corruption, manipulation and greed.---
Actually, there are other history books written at the time by those who had seen Jesus. One written by an agnostic who witnessed the miracles Jesus performed comes to mind. Also, the Bible has not once been proven historically inaccurate. If you can prove that wrong, feel free.
Yes, the Bible was written by man. Just as Jesus was 100% God and 100% man, I believe that the Bible was 100% man-inspired and 100% God-inspired.
---For the record I am not hating on the Bible, Koran or any other holy books. They are actually filled with wisdom and I do believe that a lot of "God's word" can be found there. I also believe that mankind has a habit of using people's beliefs as a tool of control. History shows us this time and time again.---
This reminds me of the phrase "hate the player, not the game". Many misuse the Bible, but that doesn't make the Bible itself any worse - just those who misuse it.
---Typical dogmatic mentality...if it's not included, it must not be important. If you really admired Jesus like you say you do, then you would question the establishment and ask these kinds of questions. Heck, it's one of the things that got him crucified to begin with, pissing off the Jews and all. For someone raised in a church environment, you gotta admit, Jesus was pretty anti-religion.---
Tell me, then. Why is it important? Are there any sort of facts that you have read about Jesus in time periods that are not mentioned in the Bible, that either show Jesus to be a charlatan, or add a whole other side to His ministry? Don't accuse me of not asking questions, either. I've questioned, and because of those questions, I am more faithful than I ever have been. Not all who question, turn away.
---Wow, you really are a Christian! I don't buy into your limiting beliefs so that must mean I am an atheist, huh? I sincerely hope someday God reveals itself to you in a more personal way and you don't have to rely on fundamentalism anymore.---
I saw no reason to believe that you believed in God. For someone who claims to be so enlightened, you come off as extremely angry and bitter. Why should someone who claims to be comfortable in their beliefs be so inflammatory?
When did I say I was condemning anyone? Riddle me this: Why would Jesus have to die on the cross, assuming Jesus was God's son, if Jesus wasn't the ONE way to salvation? God would have to be pretty stupid to let His own son die if there were other ways.
---Or a tool of the Romans to consolidate their empire. There are lots of ways to look at things, you know.---
Very knee-jerk of you.
--- Yes there is. Ever stop to consider that the Bible might be no be 100% true? How do you know he said this? Were you there? Did you hear it yourself? Ohhh that's right, all of your faith is based on ancient texts and hearsay. You know, Muslims do the same thing....so do Jews...it's pretty damn easy to tell people "This book is the word of God." and have millions follow...when it was actually written by men, who are famous for corruption, manipulation and greed.---
Actually, there are other history books written at the time by those who had seen Jesus. One written by an agnostic who witnessed the miracles Jesus performed comes to mind. Also, the Bible has not once been proven historically inaccurate. If you can prove that wrong, feel free.
Yes, the Bible was written by man. Just as Jesus was 100% God and 100% man, I believe that the Bible was 100% man-inspired and 100% God-inspired.
---For the record I am not hating on the Bible, Koran or any other holy books. They are actually filled with wisdom and I do believe that a lot of "God's word" can be found there. I also believe that mankind has a habit of using people's beliefs as a tool of control. History shows us this time and time again.---
This reminds me of the phrase "hate the player, not the game". Many misuse the Bible, but that doesn't make the Bible itself any worse - just those who misuse it.
---Typical dogmatic mentality...if it's not included, it must not be important. If you really admired Jesus like you say you do, then you would question the establishment and ask these kinds of questions. Heck, it's one of the things that got him crucified to begin with, pissing off the Jews and all. For someone raised in a church environment, you gotta admit, Jesus was pretty anti-religion.---
Tell me, then. Why is it important? Are there any sort of facts that you have read about Jesus in time periods that are not mentioned in the Bible, that either show Jesus to be a charlatan, or add a whole other side to His ministry? Don't accuse me of not asking questions, either. I've questioned, and because of those questions, I am more faithful than I ever have been. Not all who question, turn away.
---Wow, you really are a Christian! I don't buy into your limiting beliefs so that must mean I am an atheist, huh? I sincerely hope someday God reveals itself to you in a more personal way and you don't have to rely on fundamentalism anymore.---
I saw no reason to believe that you believed in God. For someone who claims to be so enlightened, you come off as extremely angry and bitter. Why should someone who claims to be comfortable in their beliefs be so inflammatory?
diplomatic_lies
Master Don Juan
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2002
- Messages
- 4,366
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To the original poster, what is spirituality? Are you sure you're lacking spirituality in your life, or are the bible bashers just getting past your front gate? (Tip: Employ guard dogs, orders to kill)
Try to find what you're missing. Do, try, and experience everything. Go to a mosque, a church, a buddhist temple. Read the Bible, the Koran, the teachings of Confucious, etc.
Don't stop even if you think you've found the right path. Keep going on and on, trying everything. Then come back at the end of the day, review your experiences, and figure which rocks your boat.
You don't stumble onto answers until you try them.
Try to find what you're missing. Do, try, and experience everything. Go to a mosque, a church, a buddhist temple. Read the Bible, the Koran, the teachings of Confucious, etc.
Don't stop even if you think you've found the right path. Keep going on and on, trying everything. Then come back at the end of the day, review your experiences, and figure which rocks your boat.
You don't stumble onto answers until you try them.
AFK Protector
Master Don Juan
Since we're getting into a whole religious discussion, I'd liek to say that personall I have no problem with religion or religious people because a lot of my friends are religious.
However, I'd say 99% of them are hypocrites and act 'holy' only during church sessions or youth groups. Of course, this isn't true for a lot of other Christians I am sure, but that's just what I see.
Third, I think that in the big picture, religion seems to hold back the development of man. In the past, when things could not be explained, it was "an act of God." Our desires to discover the true source of anything unexplained would commit suicide. And thus, the decline of man had begun.
However, I'd say 99% of them are hypocrites and act 'holy' only during church sessions or youth groups. Of course, this isn't true for a lot of other Christians I am sure, but that's just what I see.
Third, I think that in the big picture, religion seems to hold back the development of man. In the past, when things could not be explained, it was "an act of God." Our desires to discover the true source of anything unexplained would commit suicide. And thus, the decline of man had begun.
"Why Women Dump the Guys Who Try the Hardest"
You paid for dinner. You drove. You said "whatever you want is fine" every single time. All the effort, no expectations.
And she left anyway — probably for a guy who makes her pick up the pizza.
Painful. Also predictable. Her mind quietly concludes that anything requiring zero effort from her is worth exactly zero. You became a free sample, and free samples get taken for granted.
The 22 Rules flip the dynamic. Small shifts that get her investing effort, money, and time in you — until SHE'S the one afraid of losing YOU.
Cloud-uk
Master Don Juan
Atheism is just as much a matter of belief as theism. You can debate the misinterpretations of the Bible, the possible injustices of god, the logical loop holes in theism just as long as you can criticism the deterministic, negative and un-fruitful standpoint of atheism. It will go on and on and really, you're just detracting from a fine premier question.
So, back to the point:
Happiness, it would seem, is not what others tell you it should be. More than this, we are conditioned to believe that our lives wil be given meaning and worth if we jump through certain 'self-actualisation hoops'. However, perhaps we're too good at it now, and oweing to our un-quenched fear of death, we result in accomplishing our 'life goals' with a couple of decades spare, stareing into to deep eyes of death while we're at it.
Hey, perhaps we're gatting even better now, for if life is imbued with purpose and death is accepted no one need have a mid-life crisis.
Mah, just a thought... a goal that is not unattainable, but leaves no time left after to sit on one's thumb (and optionally spin). Hmmmm.... be and stay happy?
So, back to the point:
Happiness, it would seem, is not what others tell you it should be. More than this, we are conditioned to believe that our lives wil be given meaning and worth if we jump through certain 'self-actualisation hoops'. However, perhaps we're too good at it now, and oweing to our un-quenched fear of death, we result in accomplishing our 'life goals' with a couple of decades spare, stareing into to deep eyes of death while we're at it.
Hey, perhaps we're gatting even better now, for if life is imbued with purpose and death is accepted no one need have a mid-life crisis.
Mah, just a thought... a goal that is not unattainable, but leaves no time left after to sit on one's thumb (and optionally spin). Hmmmm.... be and stay happy?
Hound_of_Love
Don Juan
- Joined
- May 16, 2005
- Messages
- 144
- Reaction score
- 1
Were that actually the case, it would very much be proof of the existence of God.
I somehow doubt that scientists ever said that that is what that section of the brain does though. It may produce electro-magnetic signals when one has thoughts that one would classify as "related to God" but one cannot say that any "god" is directly responsible for those signals.
The trouble with analysing the activity of the brain is that we are using the instrument to measure itself...
PVSSY-EATER
Banned
Hey guys what a discussion. I feel that this forum is finally getting back to some quality discussions and not a lot of flame wars and afc questions that have already been covered.
This is what I have come to conclude on this inner joy thing, or inner peace thing, as even some of you have said this, but I think that it really comes down to being yourself, but, and this is a big but, but, applying wisdom to yourself so that you KNOW how to handle different situations, people, circumstances, financial situations, women, etc.
See, from what I have experienced and I am not sure if I am the only one, but one of the main myths of being a don juan or being successful in life period, is that you have to act like someone else does. I think this is the myth that holds back our inner peace and joy, that can only come from being ourselves.
I read alot of books, and I get wisdom on how to prosper in this and prosper in that, and basically I have come to a conclusion, I CAN be myself, but just get wisdom on how to deal or win in certain situations, and I will be fine.
The pain of life, in my opinion, is when we walk around trying to act and be like someone else, because we have been taught and conditioned that...being like them, is how they succeeded. But that actually is not the case.
They succeeded because they KNEW something that somebody else did not, and the only way they KNEW it, was because they got knowledge and wisdom on how to get it.
I mean, I had be struggling with this inner peace thing for a while. Because I would apply these techniques and get women, but I would be like, why am i still unhappy? And I have discovered that you can be a don juan and be yourself at the same time.
As far as God goes, I believe in Jesus, but even Jesus stressed in the Bible that we ought to strive to learn more about God for ourselves, and Jesus even said Greater things we shall do, than what he did. So who or whatever God is to you, as long as you have faith in God, then I believe that is all Jesus wanted...because faith gives you power to do and carry out your purpose in life. Without faith, you are just like a nice fancy car, with no battery.
PVSSY-EATER OUT
This is what I have come to conclude on this inner joy thing, or inner peace thing, as even some of you have said this, but I think that it really comes down to being yourself, but, and this is a big but, but, applying wisdom to yourself so that you KNOW how to handle different situations, people, circumstances, financial situations, women, etc.
See, from what I have experienced and I am not sure if I am the only one, but one of the main myths of being a don juan or being successful in life period, is that you have to act like someone else does. I think this is the myth that holds back our inner peace and joy, that can only come from being ourselves.
I read alot of books, and I get wisdom on how to prosper in this and prosper in that, and basically I have come to a conclusion, I CAN be myself, but just get wisdom on how to deal or win in certain situations, and I will be fine.
The pain of life, in my opinion, is when we walk around trying to act and be like someone else, because we have been taught and conditioned that...being like them, is how they succeeded. But that actually is not the case.
They succeeded because they KNEW something that somebody else did not, and the only way they KNEW it, was because they got knowledge and wisdom on how to get it.
I mean, I had be struggling with this inner peace thing for a while. Because I would apply these techniques and get women, but I would be like, why am i still unhappy? And I have discovered that you can be a don juan and be yourself at the same time.
As far as God goes, I believe in Jesus, but even Jesus stressed in the Bible that we ought to strive to learn more about God for ourselves, and Jesus even said Greater things we shall do, than what he did. So who or whatever God is to you, as long as you have faith in God, then I believe that is all Jesus wanted...because faith gives you power to do and carry out your purpose in life. Without faith, you are just like a nice fancy car, with no battery.
PVSSY-EATER OUT
First off, I will commend you Metal Fortress, for not losing your cool. A lot of people get really defensive when they feel their views are being attacked, and though you have defended your beliefs, you kept your cool...I respect that!
Second of all, I want to apologize if my tone comes across as bitter or judgemental. It's just that I really do believe in what Jesus had to say and it angers me how his message has been distorted over time to suit the needs of the greedy...more on this in a bit.
The crux of my problem with these so-called "followers of Christ" is that they believe that good people go to hell just because they don't go through the formality of accepting Jesus, specifically, as their lord and savior. This is the very essence of what fundamentalism is all about, the message is the same in all extremist cults...."we are right and everyone else is going to hell"
Feel me?
Second of all, I want to apologize if my tone comes across as bitter or judgemental. It's just that I really do believe in what Jesus had to say and it angers me how his message has been distorted over time to suit the needs of the greedy...more on this in a bit.
Correct me if I am wrong, but in order to be a Christian, you must condemn all other reilgions. My family is mostly "born-againers" and I have had this debate with them (and a few preachers) countless times. It's not so much that the message of Christianity is wrong. It's that you guys are so convinced you are right, that you completely disqualify everyone else's way of spirituality. In this way, Christians all play God, believing they have the divine answers and the rest of the world are Satan's brides.
The crux of my problem with these so-called "followers of Christ" is that they believe that good people go to hell just because they don't go through the formality of accepting Jesus, specifically, as their lord and savior. This is the very essence of what fundamentalism is all about, the message is the same in all extremist cults...."we are right and everyone else is going to hell"
Feel me?
Your riddle is stuck inside the assumption that the Bible is 100% true and untainted by human corruption. Perhaps I am a lesser man for saying this, but I don't put nearly as much faith in mankind as you do!
It's impossible to prove the accuracy of historical events. All we can do is take different stories, and fit them together to make a big picture.
Knee-Jerk..I like that word! But that's besides the point. Allow me to illustrate how Christianity even came to be...the story you never hear about in the Bible...
In the history of the Christian church, synods, or councils, were convened to make determinations about which versions of their sacred stories would be officially sanctioned. The findings of these councils came to be known as the Canon.
Alongside such tasks as determining which books of the Old and New Testament were canonical, these councils also made theological determinations about things like the nature of Christ, and his relationship to God. One of the most important councils in the early Church was the First Council of Nicea in 325, sponsored by Emperor Constantine, who had just lifted the legal restrictions against the practice of Christianity. This was considered the first ecumenical, or world-wide, council since it included bishops from all major Christian communities of the time.
The pivotal decision of the Nicene Council affirmed the doctrine of trinitarianism, which states that God is of one substance, but exists in three persons (or hypostases) as the Father, Jesus, his son, and the Holy Spirit. This step was taken in reaction to an alternate interpretation of the story, Arianism, which stated that Jesus had been created by God, was not of the same essence, and was therefore somehow inferior...a prophet of sorts. The Nicene Creed was adopted by this council, and Arianism was ruled a heresy. Arian was exiled (and some say poisoned) by Constantine and his books destroyed. Subsequent church councils followed more or less this same pattern, and whenever they determined something to be part of the canon, they also included rules of punishment for violating teachings of the canon.
Jesus wasn't dumb...he foresaw that this would happen and once told a parable of a man who sowed his field with good quality seeds of wheat. But "while men were sleeping," an enemy sowed seeds that would produce weeds. Both types of seeds sprouted, and for a while the weeds hid the wheat from view. By this parable, Jesus showed that the fruitage of his work would be true Christians but that after his death, false Christians would infiltrate the congregation. Eventually, it would be difficult to distinguish the genuine from the false.
-- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
The apostle Peter frankly warned of the effect of these weedlike "Christians" on the way people would view Christianity and the Bible. He warned: "There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively."
-- 2 Peter 2:1, 2.
Even during the first century, the prophecies of Jesus and Peter were being fulfilled. Ambitious men infiltrated the Christian congregation and sowed dissension. (2 Timothy 2:16-18; 2 Peter 2:21, 22; 3 John 9, 10) During the following two centuries, the purity of Bible truth was corrupted by Greek philosophy, and many mistakenly came to accept pagan doctrines as Bible truth.
So as stated earlier, it was during this time of ambition, dissension and worldly philosophy that the Bible, as we know it today, took shape. When we talk about the Bible "surviving" intact to our day, we really don't know if that is true or not. What if these 'apostates' got rid of books that they didn't like? What we have today in the form of the Bible is a direct result of 'apostate' action.
For example, although not included in the Hebrew versions of the Bible, the Apocrypha was included in a translation of the Hebrew texts into Greek made at Alexandria, Egypt, beginning in the 3rd century BC. This translation, popularly called the Septuagint because of the legend that it had been made by about 70 scholars, became the Bible of the early Christians before there were any New Testament writings.
In about AD 400, when St. Jerome made a Latin translation of the Hebrew Bible, he included the Apocryphal books (somewhat against his better judgment) because they had been in the Septuagint used by earlier Christians. These books thus found acceptance in both the Latin (Roman) and Greek churches. In the Bibles used in these churches, these books are found distributed throughout the Old Testament and are not considered Apocryphal as they are in Judaism, but as authoritative. Some modern editions of the Bible include these books as a separate section.
The books in this collection are: I and II Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Additions to the Book of Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (or the Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach), Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Song of the Three (or the Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Young Men), Daniel and Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasseh, and I and II Maccabees.
If your Bible does not contain these books, then the choices these 'apostates' made certainly greatly reduced the influence of the apocrypha in your life. Have you ever read the Book of Judith, for example?
How do you know that the Bible has really come down to us intact, since it depended on 'apostates' to collect and preserve it?
It was in Constantine's time that Christendom as we know it today began to take shape. From then on, the degenerate form of Christianity that had taken root was no longer just a religious organization. It was a part of the state, and its leaders played an important role in politics. Eventually, the apostate church used its political power in a way that was completely opposed to Bible Christianity.
This is the heart of our disagreement. You choose to trust these polticians to uphold the word of God. I think they played us all.
The bible is indeed the word of God, incomplete, totally censored and edited to suit the agendas of man. I believe it's up to us to use cultivate a real relationship with God to determine what is truth..
Bottom Line:
The way genuine Christians can be recognized was explained by Jesus himself: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35)
Notice he makes no mention of his divine status here. Strange, isn't it?
Alongside such tasks as determining which books of the Old and New Testament were canonical, these councils also made theological determinations about things like the nature of Christ, and his relationship to God. One of the most important councils in the early Church was the First Council of Nicea in 325, sponsored by Emperor Constantine, who had just lifted the legal restrictions against the practice of Christianity. This was considered the first ecumenical, or world-wide, council since it included bishops from all major Christian communities of the time.
The pivotal decision of the Nicene Council affirmed the doctrine of trinitarianism, which states that God is of one substance, but exists in three persons (or hypostases) as the Father, Jesus, his son, and the Holy Spirit. This step was taken in reaction to an alternate interpretation of the story, Arianism, which stated that Jesus had been created by God, was not of the same essence, and was therefore somehow inferior...a prophet of sorts. The Nicene Creed was adopted by this council, and Arianism was ruled a heresy. Arian was exiled (and some say poisoned) by Constantine and his books destroyed. Subsequent church councils followed more or less this same pattern, and whenever they determined something to be part of the canon, they also included rules of punishment for violating teachings of the canon.
Jesus wasn't dumb...he foresaw that this would happen and once told a parable of a man who sowed his field with good quality seeds of wheat. But "while men were sleeping," an enemy sowed seeds that would produce weeds. Both types of seeds sprouted, and for a while the weeds hid the wheat from view. By this parable, Jesus showed that the fruitage of his work would be true Christians but that after his death, false Christians would infiltrate the congregation. Eventually, it would be difficult to distinguish the genuine from the false.
-- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
The apostle Peter frankly warned of the effect of these weedlike "Christians" on the way people would view Christianity and the Bible. He warned: "There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively."
-- 2 Peter 2:1, 2.
Even during the first century, the prophecies of Jesus and Peter were being fulfilled. Ambitious men infiltrated the Christian congregation and sowed dissension. (2 Timothy 2:16-18; 2 Peter 2:21, 22; 3 John 9, 10) During the following two centuries, the purity of Bible truth was corrupted by Greek philosophy, and many mistakenly came to accept pagan doctrines as Bible truth.
So as stated earlier, it was during this time of ambition, dissension and worldly philosophy that the Bible, as we know it today, took shape. When we talk about the Bible "surviving" intact to our day, we really don't know if that is true or not. What if these 'apostates' got rid of books that they didn't like? What we have today in the form of the Bible is a direct result of 'apostate' action.
For example, although not included in the Hebrew versions of the Bible, the Apocrypha was included in a translation of the Hebrew texts into Greek made at Alexandria, Egypt, beginning in the 3rd century BC. This translation, popularly called the Septuagint because of the legend that it had been made by about 70 scholars, became the Bible of the early Christians before there were any New Testament writings.
In about AD 400, when St. Jerome made a Latin translation of the Hebrew Bible, he included the Apocryphal books (somewhat against his better judgment) because they had been in the Septuagint used by earlier Christians. These books thus found acceptance in both the Latin (Roman) and Greek churches. In the Bibles used in these churches, these books are found distributed throughout the Old Testament and are not considered Apocryphal as they are in Judaism, but as authoritative. Some modern editions of the Bible include these books as a separate section.
The books in this collection are: I and II Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Additions to the Book of Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (or the Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach), Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Song of the Three (or the Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Young Men), Daniel and Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasseh, and I and II Maccabees.
If your Bible does not contain these books, then the choices these 'apostates' made certainly greatly reduced the influence of the apocrypha in your life. Have you ever read the Book of Judith, for example?
How do you know that the Bible has really come down to us intact, since it depended on 'apostates' to collect and preserve it?
It was in Constantine's time that Christendom as we know it today began to take shape. From then on, the degenerate form of Christianity that had taken root was no longer just a religious organization. It was a part of the state, and its leaders played an important role in politics. Eventually, the apostate church used its political power in a way that was completely opposed to Bible Christianity.
This is the heart of our disagreement. You choose to trust these polticians to uphold the word of God. I think they played us all.
The bible is indeed the word of God, incomplete, totally censored and edited to suit the agendas of man. I believe it's up to us to use cultivate a real relationship with God to determine what is truth..
Bottom Line:
The way genuine Christians can be recognized was explained by Jesus himself: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35)
Notice he makes no mention of his divine status here. Strange, isn't it?
"She Laughed All Night. Then She Ghosted You. Here's Why."
Dinner ran three hours. She laughed at everything. You walked her to her car thinking this one's locked in.
Then: nothing. Two texts. No reply. What happened?
You did what most men do on a great date. You filled every silence, answered every question, and left her with nothing to wonder about. No mystery. Nothing to sit with when she got home.
Rule 3 of the "22 Rules" changes the ending: tell her a little, hold back the rest, and let her imagination do the chasing. The ghosting stops too.